Will Solar Eliminate My Electric Bill? The Truth About PG&E, $0 Down Solar Subscriptions, and the 2026 Shift
- Maelo Solar Team
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
The Short Answer
Does solar eliminate your electric bill?
No—but it replaces an unpredictable, expensive PG&E utility bill with a cheaper, more predictable energy structure.
Most San Francisco Bay Area homes offset 70-85% of their electricity usage with solar plus battery storage. A small portion remains with PG&E (typically a mandatory grid connection fee) because modern solar systems must stay connected to the grid for backup and reliability.
What changes isn't whether you have a bill—it's who you pay and how much.
The 2026 Shift: Why "Buying" Solar Has Changed
As of 2026, the residential ITC has expired. Without that 30% tax offset, the economics of buying panels with a high-interest loan often result in monthly payments that offer little to no immediate savings.
Enter the Solar Subscription (The New Standard)
Institutional platforms can still access commercial tax credits. By subscribing to the energy rather than owning the hardware, you benefit from those incentives indirectly.
Feature | Trad. Buying (2026) | ⚡ Subscription (Maelo) | PG&E (Utility) |
Upfront Cost | High ($30k-$45k) | $0 Down | $0 |
Cost Per kWh | Variable (Loan Interest) | Lower Fixed Rate | Highest Market Rate |
Annual Hike | N/A | Fixed Cap (Inflation Protection) | Unpredictable (7-10%) |
Maintenance | You Pay 100% | Included 100% | N/A |
Performance | Rare / Limited | Contractual Guarantee | None |
Key Insight: The ownership train has left the station. Subscriptions allow you to capture the economic benefits of solar without the liability of owning aging hardware.
Why We Don't Publish a Single "Solar Rate"
You may see companies advertising a fixed solar rate (e.g., "$0.XX per kWh"). That number is often misleading. A solar subscription's economics depend on many variables:
Roof orientation and shading.
System size and battery configuration.
Electrical upgrades required.
Publishing a single rate can create false expectations. Instead, we focus on what actually matters: How your total monthly energy cost compares before and after solar.
How the Math Works: The "Hybrid" Bill
Many homeowners ask: "If I get solar, why do I still get a bill?"
It is simple arithmetic. You are swapping a high-volume purchase at a volatile rate for a low-volume purchase at a locked-in rate.
The "Dangerous Combination"
PG&E Rate: One of the highest in the USA.
Trend: Rates rise significantly year over year.
Reliability: 25+ major shutoff events/year.
The Maelo "Hybrid" Solution
Solar + Storage covers majority of usage.
PG&E provides reliable connection for nominal fee.
Result: Budget certainty & protection.
The Right Question Isn't "Will My Bill Go to Zero?"
The better question is: "Is my total energy picture structurally better?"
If you can replace the majority of your power needs with a rate that is significantly lower than PG&E and capped against inflation, the answer is yes.
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